Literary Analysis Map

Slide 1: THESIS STATEMENT: Sample Essay Map for Literary Analysis In the novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury illustrates the theme that censorship inevitably leads to the loss of individual thought. Assertion#1: One way Bradbury illustrates this theme is with Montag’s wife Mildred. Evidence/ Quote: Evidence/ Quote: Assertion#2: Bradbury also uses Mildred’s friends – Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps – to illustrate this theme. Evidence/ Quote: Evidence/ Quote: Assertion#3: The best way Bradbury illustrates the idea that censorship destroys individual thought is through Montag’s and Clarisse’s friendship. Evidence/ Quote: Evidence/ Quote:
Slide 2: THESIS STATEMENT: Sample Essay Map for Literary Analysis In the novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury illustrates the theme that censorship inevitably leads to the loss of individual thought.
Assertions : Assertions Assertion#1: One way Bradbury illustrates this theme is with Montag’s wife Mildred. Evidence/Quote:
Assertions : Assertions Assertion#2: Bradbury also uses Mildred’s friends – Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps – to illustrate this theme. Evidence/Quote:
Assertions : Assertions Assertion#3: The best way Bradbury illustrates the idea that censorship destroys individual thought is through Montag’s and Clarisse’s friendship. Evidence/Quote:
Example Essay : Example Essay One way Bradbury illustrates the importance of individual thought is with Montag’s wife Mildred. We know Mildred claims to be a “homemaker,” but really she just sits at home watching the walls and does not really know how to communicate with her husband. The day after she overdosed on sleeping pills Montag said to her, “’What’s on this afternoon?’”(20). Mildred did not even look up from the screen. This is showing how she has no individual thought. Another way Bradbury demonstrates the importance of individual thought is through Mrs. Bowles and Mrs. Phelps. When Mrs. Bowles is talking about her kids, and how she doesn’t “like” them, she states, “’You heave them into the parlor and turn the switch’”(96). This shows how ignorance and lack of individual thought is being passed on from generation to generation. The best way Bradbury illustrates the idea that censorship destroys individual thought is through Montag’s and Clarisse’s friendship. When Montag asks Clarisse why she doesn’t go to school, she says it’s because she’s “anti-social.” She says, “’But I don’t think it’s social to get a bunch of people together and then not let them talk, do you?’”(29). Clarisse does not think it is right to not let people think for themselves. Clearly she is thinking for herself.